illuminate

verb

il·lu·mi·nate | \ i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt

illuminated; illuminating

Definition of illuminate

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a(1) : to supply or brighten with light

(2) : to make luminous or shining

b : to enlighten spiritually or intellectually

c : to subject to radiation

d archaic : to set alight

2a : to make clear : elucidate

b : to bring to the fore : highlight a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are

3 : to make illustrious or resplendent

4 : to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures

illuminate

adjective

il·lu·mi·nate | \ i-ˈlü-mə-nət

Definition of illuminate (Entry 2 of 3)

1 archaic : brightened with light

2 archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

illuminate

noun

il·lu·mi·nate | \ i-ˈlü-mə-nət

Definition of illuminate (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic

: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment

Other Words from illuminate Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about illuminate

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Synonyms & Antonyms for illuminate

Synonyms: Verb

bathe, beacon, emblaze, illume, illumine, irradiate, light, lighten

Antonyms: Verb

blacken, darken, obfuscate

Examples of illuminate in a Sentence

Verb

the part of the moon illuminated by the sun A university study has illuminated the problem.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Rafael Marques de Morais and Mariano Bras, two graft-illuminating journalists, are on trial—behind closed doors—for insulting the former attorney-general. — The Economist, "Is Angola’s new president serious about reform?," 5 May 2018 After all, the location of cameras becomes readily apparent once the camera's red and blue beacons illuminate the night. — Hanna Krueger, NOLA.com, "What it's like to come home and find a flashing crime camera was installed nearby," 12 Mar. 2018 Bones can help illuminate the biological features that allowed dinosaurs to get big, like air sacs and rapid growth rates. — Brian Switek, Smithsonian, "The Most Massive of Dinos Evolved Earlier Than Previously Thought," 9 July 2018 White walls help illuminate the space, and a study sits perched at the top of the home overlooking the living room. — Alex Bazeley, Curbed, "Sculptural steel home built into a 19th-century railway bridge wants $1.4M," 9 July 2018 Looking at lamprey brains has helped illuminate the fundamental circuitry involved in less conscious decision-making. — Nick Heil, Outside Online, "Blame Your Junk Food Cravings on Your Unhealthy Brain," 3 July 2018 But analysing movement patterns helps illuminate the distinction and the researchers found that the average location capacity was 25. — The Economist, "At any given time in their lives, people have two dozen regular haunts," 28 June 2018 NITI Aayog says more data will help to fully illuminate the problem, and cooperation between states in India could also help. — National Geographic, "Why These Children Are Forced to Scale a 40-Foot Well," 22 June 2018 But Cable’s origins in adult-friendly comics unfortunately help illuminate many of the lazy narrative choices throughout Deadpool 2, including the character’s flimsy backstory. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "The Dour Resurgence of Cable, Deadpool 2’s Anti-Hero," 23 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges. — Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, "The Uses and Misuses of Historical Analogy for North Korea," 3 Oct. 2017 Throughout the film, interviews reveal the pervasive abuses committed against infants, children and teens as well as illuminate groups and people who are working to stop it. — Kimber Myers, latimes.com, "Filmmaker-monk goes after sex trade in documentary 'Stopping Traffic'," 28 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.